The White House is weighing a total blockade of Cuba's oil imports among options aimed at driving regime change in the Caribbean country, U.S. media outlet Politico reported Friday.
The plan has been backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the report, citing people familiar with the matter.
No final decision has been made so far, but related debates are ongoing within the Trump administration, according to the report.
The loss of Venezuelan oil shipments -- and the resale of some of those cargoes that Havana used to obtain foreign currency -- has already throttled Cuba's economy, said the report, adding that a total blockade of oil imports into Cuba could "spark a humanitarian crisis", a possibility that has led some in the administration to push back against it. The Wall Street Journal previously reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration is plotting to overthrow the Cuban government by year-end. Following a large-scale attack on Venezuela on Jan 3, which resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump hinted Cuba might be the next target, threatening that Cuba would struggle to hold on if it lost Venezuelan oil supplies.
On Jan 11, Trump said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba, and suggested that the island should strike a deal with Washington, ramping up pressure on Cuba.
In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Cuba does not attack or threaten, but it is ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.
Cuba imports about 60 percent of its oil supply, according to the International Energy Agency. Venezuela had been Cuba's main crude supplier before the U.S. seizure of Maduro.
U.S. weighs total blockade on Cuban oil imports
Chinese officials attending a recent study session at the National Academy of Governance in Beijing have pledged to make solid efforts for the country's development over the next five years.
Speaking at the opening meeting for the session, Chinese President Xi Jinping called the session attendees, principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels, to secure a good start for the country's 15th Five-Year (2026-2030) Plan.
Xi said it is necessary to develop a comprehensive, profound and accurate understanding of the strategic arrangements for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, which were made at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
He stressed that China is currently at a stage where strategic opportunities and risks coexist, with increasing uncertainty and unpredictable factors. He added that building a modern industrial system and achieving an overall industrial structure upgrade are key strategic tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
"The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. For the first time in a Five-Year Plan, the CPC Central Committee has proposed making China strong in the energy sector, clearly defining the strategic direction and priorities for the country's energy development. Building a country strong in the energy sector means to make the country independent in energy supply so as to provide reliable energy assurance for the country's modernization," said Dai Houliang, chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation.
Yin Hejun, minister of science and technology, said the next five years is a critical phase for building a solid foundation and exerting comprehensive efforts to basically achieve socialist modernization.
"We must focus on the goal of building a strong country in science and technology, take a holistic approach to formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for science and technology innovation, strengthen strategic, forward-looking, and systematic planning for basic research, promote the deep integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, and provide solid support for comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization through high-level sci-tech self-reliance and self-improvement," Yin said.
Chen Zhongyue, chairman of China Mobile Communications Group, said it is essential to study and comprehend the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
"Currently, digital-intelligence technologies are deeply integrated into all sectors of the economy and society, presenting broad opportunities for the information and communications industry. We will deepen scientific and technological innovation, develop new quality productive forces, and contribute more to Chinese modernization with new achievements in building a strong cyber power and a Digital China," he said.
Speaking at the study session, Xi said that improving livelihoods should be prioritized to promote social development. And while advancing economic growth, steady efforts should be made to raise quality of life for the people.
"We will strive to make healthcare security services more accessible to the public, support the development of the medical and health sector, and foster the growth of the pharmaceutical industry. Healthcare security is not only a traditional undertaking in the health domain but also a concrete manifestation of new quality productive forces in health. We are continuously exploring ways to drive emerging industries with new technologies so as to benefit all people," said Zhang Ke, head of the National Healthcare Security Administration.
Chinese officials pledge to make solid efforts to implement 15th Five-Year Plan
